I don't have time to get on the forum very much these days, but wanted to recommend this article to be added to the next round of links.

‘Without his shoes, I couldn’t walk’: a cobbler with a mission
http://mobile.seattletimes.com.....e-1.2.2-./

This is a local cobbler in Pike Place Market in Seatte who makes shoes fully from scratch, especially critical for people with unusually shaped feet or severe injuries. The article focuses on a client who lost all his toes and parts of his feet in a work related accident, and finally is able to get wearable boots. It's also fascinating to read about the labor - and expense - involved in the custom footwear business, and how few people still do this for a living.